By Johnie Edwards
We continue to look at lovers which are mentioned in the Bible.
Lovers of Self
Paul told Timothy, “that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves” (2 Tim. 3:1-2). Too many are so much in love with themselves that they have no room for loving God and their fellow man. Jesus said, “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal” (Jn. 12:25). The love of self has led many to gratify their desires regardless of what God has said. Self-love keeps church members from faithful attendance if there are other things they like to do when services of the church are being conducted.
Lovers of Money
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which, while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:10). There is no evil in money but the love of it leads many astray. This is the reason for these words: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in the uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17).
Lovers of the Praise of Men
Some are more concerned about what men think than what God said. The reason given for some rulers not confessing Christ was: “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (Jn. 12:43). Paul’s attitude concerning the praise of men is worthy of our attention. “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10). The Pharisees, in the days of Jesus, were seeking the praise of men and this was their reward (Matt. 23).
Lovers of the World
Christians are admonished, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 Jn. 2:15). Loving the world caused Demas to forsake Paul (2 Tim. 4:10) and it will cause us to forsake God and His word. No wonder James said, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (Jas. 4:4).
Lovers of Preeminence
The desire to be above others, and to be first is the desire of those who seek preeminence. The desire for preeminence in the church has caused much trouble among brethren. John wrote of one who desired preeminence in this language, “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not” (2 John 9).
Lovers of Darkness
Darkness is opposed to light. Men of God are men of light and are urged to walk in the light (1 Jn. 1:7). Yet many love darkness more than they do the light. Listen to John as he wrote about darkness. “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (Jn. 3:19-20).
Lovers of Parents More Than of God
Often one will not obey the gospel because of parents. Jesus said, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37). Children are to love their parents but this love must not interfere with their love for God and His Word (Luke 14:26; Mark 10:29-30).
Truth Magazine XXII: 30, p. 482
August 3, 1978